There are many advantages to being a registered nurse in Connecticut. The state has excellent nursing schools and medical facilities, and the median salary paid to nurses in Connecticut is 6% higher than the national average. To guide you through the process of applying for your Connecticut nursing license, we’ve assembled the information below.
In this article, we will cover:
What's your current role?
Becoming a registered nurse begins with a solid educational foundation. There are three paths available:
Connecticut requires applicants for registered nursing licensure to first obtain a nursing degree. Successful completion of any of the state board’s approved programs is the first step to being issued a state license.
There are several steps that registered nurse candidates need to complete before submitting their online application for a license along with the appropriate fee. No paper applications will be accepted.
Candidates should arrange to have their official transcripts sent to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health
410 Capitol Ave
MS# 12 APP
P.O. Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134
Connecticut does not require nursing licensure candidates to submit to a mandatory background check. The state certification board does, however, require applicants to submit information pertaining to any past criminal history and individual facilities may require a background check.
The National Council Licensing Examination (NCLEX) test is the last test that a registered nursing candidate has to take and pass before being issued a Connecticut state license. Authorization to take the test is provided after registering and paying the $200 fee at the PearsonVue website. If you do not pass the NCLEX-RN, you must wait 45 days before scheduling another exam. The state allows candidates to take the exam as many as 8 times per year. The test must be passed within three years of graduation from a nursing program. The NCLEX consists of 75-145 questions, which will cover topics including:
What's your current role?
Connecticut’s registered nurses need to renew their licenses annually. You will receive notification that your license is up for renewal approximately 60 days before it expires. A second notice will be sent 30 days after expiration if no renewal application has been submitted.
The state of Connecticut has mandated that every six years, all registered nurses need to complete:
One contact hour is defined as at least 50 minutes of instruction. Qualifying courses can be either in-person or online. Nurses attest to satisfaction of the requirement when applying for license renewal and need to keep records of attendance or certificates of completion for at least three years after the year in which the course was taken. These records do not need to be submitted during renewal but need to be provided within 45 days of a request for inspection from the department.
Renewal applications can be completed and license renewal fees paid online here. Nurses who prefer to submit a paper application need to email [email protected] to request a renewal application.
Nurses holding out-of-state licenses seeking a new Connecticut license will need to have the verification of all RN licenses held, whether current or expired, sent directly to the Connecticut Department of Public Health by the source.
If you have been licensed by a Nursys participating state, this information can be requested via this link. License verification from states that do not participate with Nursys should be requested by sending this verification form to the licensing state and requesting that they submit documentation to:
Connecticut Department of Public Health/RN Licensure
410 Capitol Ave
MS #12 APP
PO Box 340308
Hartford, CT 06134
Additionally, an online application and appropriate fees should be submitted online via this link.
Out-of-state nurses seeking a Connecticut license are eligible for a 120-day, non-renewable temporary permit to practice nursing while they are waiting for it to be issued. This temporary permit will be issued within 15 days of the completed application being received and approved.
Below are the fees for becoming a nurse in Connecticut whether you are a first-time nurse or are moving to Connecticut from another state. For more information visit the Connecticut licensing page.
Licensing fee by examination (first-time nurses):
Licensing fee by endorsement (already have RN licensure):
License renewal fees:
*Fees are subject to change.
**Most states require a background check, but prices are not always listed.
Incredible Health offers ANCC-accredited continuing education courses for nurses in all 50 states, 100% free and online. The Connecticut Board of Examiners for Nursing accepts courses that are ANCC accredited.
What's your current role?
